Advocating for Washington state ARNP payment parity.

Area of Science:

• Health Policy
• Nursing Workforce Studies
• Healthcare Economics

Background:

• Advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) play a crucial role in healthcare delivery.
• Understanding ARNP workforce dynamics and reimbursement is essential for effective healthcare planning.
• Existing disparities in reimbursement between ARNPs and physicians may impact healthcare access and costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To collect and analyze workforce and reimbursement data from Washington state ARNPs.
• To inform future workforce planning initiatives for ARNPs.
• To provide evidence for advocating payment parity legislation.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted in 2018 targeting advanced registered nurse practitioners in Washington state.
• Data collected included information on workforce characteristics and reimbursement rates.
• Statistical analysis of survey data was performed.

Main Results:

• The survey provided a snapshot of the 2018 ARNP workforce in Washington state.
• Reimbursement data highlighted potential disparities compared to physician compensation for similar services.
• Detailed workforce metrics were established for planning purposes.

Conclusions:

• The findings underscore the need for improved workforce planning for ARNPs.
• Advocacy for payment parity legislation is supported by the collected reimbursement data.
• Ensuring equal payment for ARNPs and physicians is critical for healthcare equity and efficiency.